The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-01-17

The Life and Services of a Gallant
officer.

| WASHINGTON, Jan. 16.-Gen. w. b.
Hazen, chief signal officer of the United
States army, died in this city at o'clock
this evening. He had been ill since Thurs
| day but no danger was apprehended. Gen.
Hazen died of diabetic coma. He suffered
from diabetes for some years but of late had
improved in health and strength and hopes
were entertained of his complete recovery.
AT the reception to the diplomatic corps by
the President, he took q severe cold, causing
him to keep his bed ON the t4th. On the
18th he was up and reported himself much
improved, saying he would go to his office
Monday. This morning his physician, p, F.
Harvey, U. S. A, was summoned to see him
soon after daylight. He at once repaired to
his room and found an alarming change in
his condition, suggesting poisoning of the
blood from his constitutional disease. He at
once adopted measures to overcome this con-
dition and restore strength. Consultation
was also at once sought with DR.. D. S.
Huntington Of the army, who agreed in
tie main with the attending physician. The
case was deemed of so extreme gravity that
his relatives in the city were informed and
they at once gathered about him and spared
no effort to bring him relief. Some improve
lHcug ItSulleQ lIOut bulS treatment DuL
towards evening his symptoms became ag-
grayated, and at the request of his family
DIR. Lincoln met Drs. Harvey and Hunting
ton in consultation. Every measure that
skill or science could suggest failed to rally
the sinking officers and he breatbed his
last at o'clock. His final illness was not
accompanied by suffering and his death was
calm and without struggle. Information
OF General Hazen's death was conveyed i'm
medlately by Colonel Huntington and Cap
Itr 20 kl.A e
communicated the sad intelligence to the
PRESIDENT. The General of the army, who
who was advised of his death by telegram
viii be conferred with by Captain Greedy in
behalf of Gen. Hazen's family as to the mil
ltary honors to be paid the deceased. The
funeral will take place from St Johns
Church. Mrs. Hazen, who is in France, has
been notified by cable and will return imme-
diately to America.
Gen. Hazen was born at West Hartford,
Va Sept. q, 1880. He went with his parents
to Ohio in 1888 and was appointed to West
Point from that State Sept. /, 1851; was grad
uated In June 1855, and appointed brevet
second lieutenant in the U. S. infantry.
Served through the Indian war in Southern
Oregon in in 1856, and afterwards was en-
gagged In the Indian campaigns in Western
Texas and New Mexico, winning high praise
and receiving a severe wound. He was
made a full lieutenant April /, 1860, and
captain May 10. In February, 1860, be-
cdiue dSSiStaut professor OF lnIanJry tactlcS
at West Point Near the opening of the
war he was given leave of absence to take
command of the 41st regiment volunteer in
fantry. He was assigned to Gen. Nelson's
division, and on Jan. 6. 1862. was appointed
to command of the 10Th brigade of the army
OF Ohio. He moved with Gen. BuelPs army
to Pittsburg Landing; took active part in
the battle at that place, and afterward
served in Northern Alabama until ordered to
assume command of the post of Murfrees-
hA~ Iw. L.,
brigadier general His brigade was hotly
engaged in the battle of Stone River and
rendered valuable service. In September,
1868. he fought gallantly in the battle of
Chickamauga, and his brigade was the last
organized command to leave the field.
In October, 1868, at night, with 1900 picked
men in 81 boats he loated down the Tennes-
see river, past Lookout Mountain, along sew
en- miles of Confederate picket line and seiz-
ed position which opened communication
with Chichamapga and decided the fate of
Chattanooga. In the battle of Mission
Ridge his brigade was among the first to
reach the crest where it captured IS pieces of
artillery, and many prisoners. In August,
1864. he was transferred to the army of Ten
nessee and placed in command of the divis-
ion Of the 9TH army corps. His division took
part In the Georgia campaign. After the
arrival of Gen. Sherman, before Savannah
Gen. Hazen's division was sent to capture
Fort McAllister, which commanded the riy-
er and inlet through which Gen. Sherman
hoped to get supplies. Nine regiments un-
der Gen. Hazen stormed the fort in less than
five minutes and captured twenty-four
pieces of ordnance and the entire
garrison thus opening way to the sea.
Gen. Hazen was then appointed and con-
firmed Major General. On May 10th, 1865,
the President gave HIM command of the 10th
army corps on account of long continued
service and for special gallantry. He was
commissioned Colonel Of the 3Sth regular in
fantry, and afterward of the 9th, and during
the Russo Turkish war in 1867 he was
United States military attache at Vienna.
On Dec. Is, 1880, he was appointed Chief
Signal Officer, with the rank of Brigadier
General.